WoW Forever timeline and roadmap
The beta runs 17 Sep 2026 to 21 Oct 2026, Forever launches on 4 Nov 2026, and the first two raids open on 9 Dec 2026. Hardcore follows in winter, and new raids, dungeons and a revamped iconic raid are planned for 2027.
Next up: Global launch, 3:00 pm PT. (4 Nov 2026).
WoW Forever dates in order
- Official Blizzard's live WoW Forever Q&A at 10:30am PDT (6:30pm BST). The beta opens for Epic Pack, Collection and Collector's Edition owners.Blizzard live Q&A notice, 2026-09-15
- Official Beta opens at level cap 20, with Skyborne, Zephras Isle, Hall of Thanes and Ruins of Lordaeron. The cap rises to 30 later in the test, and a Server Slam for everyone is planned, both undated.Blizzard: The WoW Forever Beta Now Live, 2026-09-17
- Official Invite-a-Friend codes begin distribution.Blizzard What's Next panel recap, 2026-09-13
- Official Beta ends.Blizzard What's Next panel recap, 2026-09-13
- Official Early name reservation opens (to 2026-11-03).Blizzard What's Next panel recap, 2026-09-13
- Official Global launch, 3:00 pm PT.Blizzard What's Next panel recap, 2026-09-13
- Official Barrow Deeps and Hyjal Summit open.Blizzard What's Next panel recap, 2026-09-13
- Reported Reported from the roadmap slide: Onyxia's Lair (40 players) also opens.Independent report
- Official Hardcore arrives after launch, in winter.Blizzard Forever panel videos, 2026-09-13
- Official New dungeons, raids, PvP updates and a revamped iconic raid.Blizzard Forever panel videos, 2026-09-13
- Reported Reported from the roadmap slide: two raids, two dungeons, a new zone, a Legendary questline and a PvP refresh.Independent report
- Reported Reported from the roadmap slide: a revamped iconic raid, a new raid, two dungeons, and profession and Legacy updates.Independent report
Raids, Hardcore and the 2027 roadmap, in detail
- Official Global launch November 4, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST. Beta runs September 17 to October 21, 2026. The first raids unlock December 9.Blizzard: What's Next Panel Recap · Blizzard: Pre-Purchase Upgrades
- Official Hardcore arrives after launch; death has lasting consequences. Hardcore progress can move to other rulesets one way only, and Hardcore is excluded from account-wide Collections and Legacy Points.Blizzard: Deep Dive Panel Recap
- Reported Developers said Hardcore arrives by winter.1 independent report
- Official Two launch raids unlock December 9: Barrow Deeps (10-player, max level) and Hyjal Summit (20-player).Blizzard: What's Next Panel Recap · plus 1 independent report
- Reported Roadmap: two more raids (10 and 20 player) in spring 2027, then a revamped iconic raid plus another new raid in summer 2027. Blizzard itself confirms a revamped iconic raid is coming.1 independent report
- Reported The roadmap slide shown at BlizzCon also lists Onyxia's Lair (40 players) for 9 December 2026. Blizzard's written recap does not mention it.1 independent report
- Reported The roadmap slide lists two raids, two dungeons, a new zone, a Legendary questline and a PvP refresh for spring 2027, then a revamped iconic raid, a new raid and two dungeons for summer 2027.1 independent report
- Reported Developers said Hardcore arrives in winter, after launch, with no exact date yet.1 independent report
- Reported Hyjal Summit (20 players) lists 13 encounters in the beta client, ending with The Wild King, and Barrow Deeps (10 players) lists 8. Onyxia's Lair (40 players) appears alongside them for the first raid tier.2 independent reports
- Reported Tier 1 raid sets in the beta client have bonuses at 2, 4 and 5 pieces, with class cooldown reductions at 5 pieces, and dungeon sets gain bonuses up to 6 pieces.1 independent report
- Verified Hardcore is not in the beta. The Q&A gave no date, and the roadmap still says winter 2026.2 independent reports